U.S. Department of Labor

The Department of Labor (DOL) is the governmental agency established to deal with labor affairs at the federal level. It administers a variety of federal labor laws guaranteeing safe and healthful working conditions, a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, freedom from employment discrimination, unemployment insurance, and worker’s compensation. The Department also protects worker’s pension rights, provides for job training programs, and works to strengthen free collective bargaining. The Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers and publishes monthly statistics on unemployment, worker productivity, and the consumer price index. It also provides U.S. Government representation in the International Labor Organization (ILO), and participates in the formulation of U.S. international trade policy in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, the State Department, and the Special Trade Representative to the President. In addition, it provides technical assistance to developing countries through the Agency for International Development (AID).